Hydatid disease of the liver: the first indigenous case in Thailand and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

The authors describe the first indigenous case of hepatic hydatid disease in Thailand. A 58-year-old female presented with progressive right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort over a 6-month period. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a solitary cystic lesion 11 x 12 x 13 centimeter in size at the left lobe of the liver. She had never been abroad and had no livestock exposure. The first operation was complicated by spillage of the parasite which required a combination of albendazole and praziquantel and a second operation for intracystic instillation of hypertonic saline solution. Unfortunately, uncontrolled generalized seizures developed due to severe hypernatremia. She never regained consciousness and expired 3 weeks after admission. In addition, the authors also reviewed previous reports of hydatid disease in Thailand. To date, only 9 cases have been reported since 1932.